ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the panegyric texts that clearly show Amad al-Manr laid claim to the historic title of caliph in asserting his legitimacy to rule. The Mamlks and Ottomans appear to have only made half-hearted attempts to utilize this title with its historically universal connotations. It may be that this lack of enthusiasm stemmed from the fact that neither of these dynasties could claim Qurayshite descent, and thus they found it more profitable to base their authority upon other foundations. The intended audience for Al-Muntaq al-maqr is implied although it is nowhere stated outright. Evidence for this conclusion can be found in sections such as Ibn al-Q's chapter in which he contrasts al-Manr's sultanate with the rule of the Turks in Egypt, or in his outright claims that the righteous government of al-Manr represented the future hope for Eastern Arabs chafing under Turkish rule.
